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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think this has the potential to go tits up?

41 replies

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 19:52

Been asked to sell on behalf of a local charity a quiz sheet containing film quotes: one uses the word nigger. Now the film is an old one so fair enough but why oh why did they have to select that quote? I'm not happy about it and have said so but why, in the year 2009, would people not realise it just is not OK?

The chap who collated this is a public figure, a councillor- surely, you would hope, he'd cotton on?

OP posts:

cornsilk · 11/01/2009 19:54

He selected that quote? That's bizarre.

scrooged · 11/01/2009 19:54

Hmm. You'd also think one of the Princes would also know that the word p**i was offensive too.

I'd refuse to sell them. You'll have all sorts of problems, not him!

BBeingpatient · 11/01/2009 19:55

i would not associate myself with that for all the tea in china! will end in outrage and rightly so!

Molesworth · 11/01/2009 19:55

is it the dam busters?

I agree, of all the thousands of film quotes he could have chosen ...

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 19:56

Have refused to sell them- my degre3e is in the field and potentially my work; apart from the fact I am damned piossed off about it i wouldnt be able to afford risk anyway

(BTW in unlikely case anyone thinks I am a troll with this click on prfile to see who I used to be)

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scorpio1 · 11/01/2009 19:56

I would feel the same as you.

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 20:00

I bet I get slated for being up my own arse though

Mind if I typed some of the grammar on here the pedants would have a field day!

Trouble is when these are sold it represents all the members... and this is a big no way for me!

Prepare for me to be scapegoated though.....

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GrimmaTheNome · 11/01/2009 20:05

Seems quite weird. You say you've said you weren't happy - what was the response?

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 20:09

I had to email him as he was out but no response (in fairness not long ago- half an hour?) I missed meeting so picked it up from a sheet dh had been given but not read.

A few years ago a similar club as slated for something similar but 2 years ago another (both unrelated, there's many teams involved, hundreds) clubgopt away witrh an anti-japanese theme and when I refused to appluad i was laughed at.

OP posts:

NotADragonOfSoup · 11/01/2009 20:09

I think a lot depends on what the film is and what context the quote was in.

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 20:11

it justr says id the fim quotes and gives the quote 'send a code word Nigger' (their capitalisation not mine!)

My point really is there are a million other films they could have chosen- why this one?

OP posts:

policywonk · 11/01/2009 20:12

Is he the sort to use the phrase 'political correctness gone mad', by any chance?

I know a couple of local councillors who are like this. They think they are crusaders for free speech, but in fact they're just annoying.

babypringle · 11/01/2009 20:14

Just to add to your concerns - I work in publishing copyright. A couple of years ago I was clearing short quotes to be used in an educational textbook. One US film company wanted to charge $2000 to use a quote of less than 2 words and would not budge on the fees. I know it's for charity but beware ...

babypringle · 11/01/2009 20:15

sorry ... 25 words!
and the film was from the 1960's

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 20:19

Oh I don't know how they do the copyright- I know they pay for licences for most things but I am sick of raising that side of it, they all think they know better and are immune. I've given up there.

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Molesworth · 11/01/2009 20:21

Oh it is from the dam busters.

Anyway, in your shoes I'd tell them that I think it's likely to cause offence and should be replaced with something else.

If they won't do that, then I'd take my services elsewhere and leave them to it.

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 20:24

I have offered to redo for them. Services elsewhere not an option (its dh's thang though he is backing me, no other club would have asd ds3 as its performance based asnd they are really great about it in fairness).

OP posts:

GrimmaTheNome · 11/01/2009 20:27

Hopefully he will thank you for the warning.

Apart from the stupidity of choosing a quote which could cause offence, it would be unfair on competitors who'd only seen the bowdlerised version.

Original poster

Clarissimo · 11/01/2009 21:06

I should say that i don't think for one minute this is deliberately racist, uneducated or a mistake.

If I thought they were racist i'd pick up my kit and walk.

I am going to watch the other clubs with interest tjogh as I cannot think of one black participant out of 2000. Oh fuck.

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Original poster

Clarissimo · 12/01/2009 09:18

Well I have contacted them and getting no response; as time has gone one I ahve oticed a few more things- why is fucking bleeped but not nigger? Why is it capitalised? Why are there no black poeple at all in any clubs? Why are we involved if there is some kind of institutional racism going on? We've raised concerns over the use of other hate words before (retard used as an insult, mong etc).... we'r both seriously questioning our involvement at all if they can't even be bothered to respond to concerns.

Time will tell I guess.

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Molesworth · 12/01/2009 11:22

It all seems a bit weird and suspect doesn't it? I hope you get a response today Clarissimo - good luck

Original poster

Clarissimo · 12/01/2009 11:34

dh called chairman who hadn't read it (methinks game needs raising)- all pulled hopefully, if he can contact people

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onager · 12/01/2009 11:42

Nigger is a name of a beloved dog in that film so it would be capitalised I guess. It's pretty famous so it's expected to be recognised which is what you need for quiz quotes.

It isn't refering to black people at all. It's not calling someone a nigger. Just like "Free Willy" is not about male prostitution

How do you feel about negro pencils?

Original poster

Clarissimo · 12/01/2009 11:43

But you'd need to know that wouldn't you? I didn't, and I don't suppose everyone would either. Well nobody else on here did.

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Original poster

Clarissimo · 12/01/2009 11:44

(And I wouldn't call my dog Nigger either.... was it a black dog by any chance? )

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